July 17, 2024
K-State 105 launches Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative with NetWork Kansas, K-State Research and Extension
Blueprints are a way to guide the future, and that's exactly what K-State 105 partners are aiming to do with the new K-State 105 Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative.
K-State 105 and NetWork Kansas are working together to support innovative community-based projects focused on entrepreneurship and small business development. Community organizations and groups are encouraged to apply for this funding opportunity.
Through the K-State 105 Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative, K-State 105 funding will support several collaborative community projects that involve NetWork Kansas and K–State Research and Extension. The collaboration aims to leverage resources and build new ways to foster economic growth and community development in Kansas.
"We want to co-invest and co-create collaborative projects with Kansas communities," said Jessica Gnad, K-State 105 director. "As a next-generation land-grant university, we want to bring partners together to try new and innovative ideas to help inform and shape future engagement through K-State 105."
The K-State 105 Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative involves a funding opportunity to support new and early stage projects that focus on entrepreneurship and small business development. Some examples of these types of projects might include a business or food incubator space, a retail hub, a co-working facility, a makerspace, a community kitchen, a revolving loan fund, or enhanced business programming, among other ideas. Creativity is encouraged.
A key piece of the funding opportunity is the involvement of K-State Research and Extension and the 75 NetWork Kansas E-Communities across the state. The projects that will be selected for funding must emphasize collaboration with multiple partners, including K-State Research and Extension and NetWork Kansas, as well as additional K-State units or other statewide resource partners or higher education institutions.
"This opportunity has the ability to not only seed several innovative projects across Kansas, each with a unique blueprint to foster entrepreneurial growth, but it can also strengthen connections between Kansas entrepreneurs and those statewide resources that can help ensure success," said Erik Pedersen, NetWork Kansas president. "We value our partnership with K-State 105 very much and look forward to seeing the creative and impactful ideas that are elevated through this initiative."
The application deadline for the funding opportunity is Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. Learn more about the K-State 105 Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative and the application process on the K-State 105 website or read the July 16 KSRE Tuesday Letter.